Work begins on Archer Braid Trail along Archer Road

Alachua County Transportation Planning Manager Jeff Hays, at left center, talks with residents about the proposed location of the Archer Braid Trail during a special meeting and tour in Haile Plantation in this Dec. 20, 2012 file photo.

Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 5:15 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 5:15 p.m.

The Florida Department of Transportation will start construction this week on its portion of the Archer Braid Trail, which will run from the city of Archer to the intersection of Archer Road and Southwest 91st Street in Gainesville.

FDOT District 2 is managing the construction of this six-mile-long portion of the trail, which will cost about $1.1 million in federal money. In its entirety, the Archer Braid Trail is planned to run from the city of Archer to the University of Florida and beyond.

The FDOT trail segment, which will be a 10-foot-wide asphalt path, will run from Archer to where Archer Road and 91st Street intersect.

Initially, underbrush will be removed in a wooded area at U.S. 41 near the water tower in Archer, where a trail head, or parking area, will be built, said Laurie Windham, project spokeswoman. There will be five paved parking spots, including a handicapped space, as well as an informational kiosk and bench where people can rest.

When work starts at the Gainesville end of the trail segment, construction crews will lay out the path and later add a limerock base for its foundation, Windham said. The project is expected to be completed by the spring.

"There really shouldn't be a big impact to traffic because the trail is pretty far off of Archer Road," she said.

Any lane closures would be permitted only after 8 a.m. on weekdays, and the main impact of construction will be the trucks and equipment traveling along Archer Road to the sites.

<p>The Florida Department of Transportation will start construction this week on its portion of the Archer Braid Trail, which will run from the city of Archer to the intersection of Archer Road and Southwest 91st Street in Gainesville.</p><p>FDOT District 2 is managing the construction of this six-mile-long portion of the trail, which will cost about $1.1 million in federal money. In its entirety, the Archer Braid Trail is planned to run from the city of Archer to the University of Florida and beyond.</p><p>The FDOT trail segment, which will be a 10-foot-wide asphalt path, will run from Archer to where Archer Road and 91st Street intersect.</p><p>Initially, underbrush will be removed in a wooded area at U.S. 41 near the water tower in Archer, where a trail head, or parking area, will be built, said Laurie Windham, project spokeswoman. There will be five paved parking spots, including a handicapped space, as well as an informational kiosk and bench where people can rest.</p><p>When work starts at the Gainesville end of the trail segment, construction crews will lay out the path and later add a limerock base for its foundation, Windham said. The project is expected to be completed by the spring.</p><p>"There really shouldn't be a big impact to traffic because the trail is pretty far off of Archer Road," she said.</p><p>Any lane closures would be permitted only after 8 a.m. on weekdays, and the main impact of construction will be the trucks and equipment traveling along Archer Road to the sites.</p><p><i>Contact Morgan Watkins at 338-3104 or morgan.watkins@gvillesun.com.</i></p>